Chapter 15: Illusion
Elizabeth shivered under the thick blankets. She blinked a few times to clear her vision. The room was dark and the fire was out. Lancelot was still next to her. She got up and walked over to the window. Her nightgown blowing in the wind that had forced the window open. She saw the bushes move and she shut the window. Her heart was creeping into her throat. She shook Lancelot, waking him. He saw her worried expression and sat up.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
"The window was forced open by wind and the bushes are moving down below. I think the Rebels are about," she whispered.
Lancelot sighed and got out of bed. He got his swords and handed Elizabeth hers.
"I'm tired of my sleep being broken by these Rebels," Lancelot grumbled.
Elizabeth grinned.
"Do you want me to watch the window?" she asked.
"No, we're going to get down to Arthur and the others," he replied.
Elizabeth nodded and followed Lancelot out the door. The corridors were dark and cold. Elizabeth's bare feet felt like ice as they quietly made their way down to the Round Table. Lancelot slowly pushed the thick doors open and they rushed inside. They locked the doors behind them and rushed off to Arthur's room. Elizabeth hurriedly knocked on the door and Arthur opened it. He was dressed with his sword. He held a finger to his mouth.
"I know," he whispered.
"How?" Lancelot asked.
"Bors saw them earlier and he warned me," he replied.
He opened the door wider and admitted them into his room where Galahad, Gawain, and Bors were all sitting. Guinevere was there as well, a bow in her hand. Elizabeth sat in a chair next to her.
"Exciting way to wake up," Guinevere said sarcastically.
Elizabeth nodded her agreement.
Arthur and the knights were talking in low voices.
"We shut and locked the doors to the Round Table," Lancelot said.
"That ought to take them a while to get through," Gawain said.
"I don't understand how they think they can lay siege on this entire village with us here," Bors laughed.
Bors stopped laughing as a loud thud was heard from outside. The knights drew their swords and Guinevere strung her bow.
"How is your wound?" she asked Elizabeth.
Elizabeth grinned.
"Almost healed," she replied.
"I don't believe that," Guinevere said.
"Well, they're almost completely healed. They don't hurt!" Elizabeth protested.
Guinevere shook her head.
Arthur turned around.
"Guinevere and Elizabeth, be ready," he said, his voice just barely above a whisper.
The two friends looked at each other, confident smiles on their faces. However, the Rebels did not get into the room. Arthur opened the door and they rushed out. The Round Table room was empty and the thick doors were untouched. A high pitched scream came from the hall and the clash of swords could be heard. The knights rushed forward and opened the doors. They rushed out into the turmoil of Rebels and servants. They killed Rebel after Rebel. Elizabeth spotted a servant girl being carried off by a grinning Rebel. She ran over and sliced his back as he made for the door. He dropped his prize and Elizabeth picked the girl up. She was probably twelve years old. The girl looked at her with wide eyes before running back up the stairs to the servants quarters. Elizabeth turned around and ran back into the battle. Lancelot was easily getting rid of the Rebels and so were the other knights. Guinevere stood in a dark corner and fired arrows at any Rebels who tried to attack the knights from the back. However, she missed one. Lancelot was preoccupied and didn't see the Rebel with a broad sword come up. Elizabeth ran over and blocked the Rebel's sword as it started to crash down onto Lancelot, who spun around at the sound of the two swords meeting. Elizabeth pushed the Rebel back and they continued to fight. He attacked viciously and kept aiming in towards her heart. The longer they fought, the angrier he became. Elizabeth used it against him and danced away. She wove in and out of the Rebels and servants until she had looped around behind the Rebel. She cut his arm off from behind and cut his middle as he turned to face her. He fell to the ground.
"Nice work," Arthur said in her ear.
"Thank you," she said, grinning.
She saw Lancelot fighting off more men. The crowd of Rebels had thinned and there was a sea of bloody bodies decorating the corridor floor. The knights finished off the last few Rebels and helped the wounded servants to their feet. One woman cried, her tears making paths down her dirty cheeks.
"They took my daughter," she wailed.
"They left with her?" Bors asked.
"Aye. They ran out when you came," she cried.
Lancelot looked at Elizabeth who was staring intently at the woman.
"I rescued a young girl. She was maybe twelve," she said.
The woman shook her head sadly.
"My daughter is older than twelve. The men were very pleased with her and now she is gone," the woman said.
"Come on, lads. Let's go save the young lady," Gawain said.
They rushed down to the stables and quickly prepared the horses. Darkness shook his head impatiently. He tried to bite Elizabeth's sleeve as she threw his saddle on. She gave him a dirty look and he flattened his ears against his head.
"Stop it, you," she said.
Elizabeth looked down at her bloody nightgown and sighed.
"Oh well, it was ruined anyways," she murmured.
She took her sword and cut slits down the side and cut some of the bottom off. She pulled herself into Darkness' saddle and walked out of the barn. The knights were out there, ready to go. Galahad put a hand on Arthur's shoulder and stopped him.
"Arthur, please be careful," he said.
Arthur nodded and the company galloped out. Darkness resisted Elizabeth's commands but he soon settled down and galloped on. He seemed to be going a little slower than normal as well. She pushed him on and he flew into another speed. It felt weird to her, like his stride was different. She shook her head and decided she wouldn't worry about it now. Bors led them down a path, their torches lighting the way. Elizabeth saw foot prints in front of them, leading down an old path. She knew this path. It was the same path her father had dragged her home upon.
"This way!" she yelled to the knights.
Bors turned down the path and the others followed. They came to a small rundown hut with a weak fire outside. Inside the hut was screaming and the sound of movement. Lancelot got off his horse and drew his swords. Elizabeth followed, hoping that this was not a trap. They walked into the hut and a pretty girl with long black hair lay on the ground. A rough looking Rebel stared at them before baring his teeth in a snarl. Lancelot swung his swords in his hands and fought with the man. Elizabeth helped the girl to her feet and rushed her outside. Darkness stepped away as she tried to help the girl onto him. Elizabeth grumbled angrily. Arthur reached an arm down and helped the girl onto his horse. Elizabeth thanked him before rushing back into the hut.
The Rebel was half dead, but still fighting. Lancelot had an exasperated expression on his face as the man kept aimlessly swinging a sword at him. He finally killed the man and rushed out of the tent.
"Is the girl alive?" he asked.
"Aye. Arthur has her," Elizabeth answered.
The two ran back to the horses and Elizabeth threw herself into Darkness' saddle and kicked him into a fast gallop. Darkness pinned his ears back and chomped angrily on the bit.
Maybe he's sick, Elizabeth thought.
The knights crashed through the clearing and ran through the village homes before approaching the stable. Arthur helped the girl down and the older woman ran out and gave her a hug.
"Thank you," she said to the knights.
Together, the woman and girl walked back into the castle, to the servants quarters. Elizabeth slid off Darkness and led him into the barn. She put him in his stall and decided to go check on Illusion. However, Illusion wasn't in his stall. A big black horse was there. He nickered her a greeting and walked over to the door.
"Darkness? What the hell is going on?" she yelled.
She went back over to Illusion and ran her hand along his coat. She pulled her hand away and it was black.
"I see you figured out my plan," Arthur said from behind her.
"Why did you do it?" she asked.
"Lancelot told me about the horse and your problem so I decided to help. I think it worked," he said, watching as Illusion slowly pushed his nose against Elizabeth's arm, his ears up.
Elizabeth grinned and rubbed his face. He shut his eyes and relaxed.
"I think he was afraid of being ridden. Just keep riding him and treating him well and soon you'll find a nice owner for him," Arthur said.
"Thanks Arthur," she replied.
Arthur nodded and walked away. Elizabeth finished untacking Illusion and rubbed the rest of the dye off. She put him back in his original stall with Darkness and took Darkness into the stall next to him, where he was supposed to be. She gave them both their evening grain and was putting the extra buckets away when a hand landed on her shoulder. She jumped and a laughing voice behind her commented on her response.
"You jump too easily," it laughed.
Elizabeth turned around and saw Lancelot looking at the black dye on her hands.
"I see you figured out Arthur's plan," Lancelot said.
"You knew?"
"I'm the one that asked him if he had any ideas to help."
Elizabeth shook her head and continued petting Illusion who lazily shut his eyes. Elizabeth left him and went over to Darkness who was watching the barn doors alertly. He didn't move a muscle as Elizabeth approached and rubbed his nose. Suddenly, he jumped back as the door creaked and hid in the shadows. A spotted pony trotted into the barn, limping. He looked at Elizabeth and his knees buckled. The pony fell to the floor, arrows peppering his rump and neck. Elizabeth sat down n the ground next to the dead animal and stroked its neck, tears pricking her eyes. It was a Woad pony, but looked as if it belonged to the Rebels. She looked back up at Lancelot who watched suspiciously. There were shouts outside and the other knights rushed by, carrying a bulky figure in their arms. Elizabeth stood up and ran out of the barn.
"Elizabeth!"
Elizabeth ignored him and continued running on until she caught up with the knights. She pushed her way along the crowd of onlookers and finally caught a glimpse of the man's face. Ramon. Elizabeth stopped dead. His clothing was torn and his face was bloodstained. He was also missing a finger. Elizabeth swayed on the spot as she took one more look and saw the missing finger dangling from the hand. She resisted an urge to vomit and started walking again. She felt a strong hand grasp hers and Lancelot helped her walk back.
"Don't follow them," he said.
"Ramon is my friend. I want to be there," she said.
Lancelot let go of her hand and she ran up the stairs to an extra room which she wouldn't have even noticed if it had not been for all the commotion. She saw Ramon on a table and a healer was standing over him.
"All of you out!" she yelled.
The knights walked out of the room, still muttering.
Elizabeth sat next to the healer and took Ramon's bloody hand in hers, memory flooding back.
It was a dark night and the only warmth came from a small fire. An old man sat near it, skinning a hare. He looked up as a young warrior walked over.
"Good evening," he said.
The older man just nodded. He knew why Ramon was here. He knew Ramon would be coming. That was the reason, the only reason, he allowed his daughter inside for the night.
"I have come to ask for your daughter's hand once more," he said carefully, looking down at his shoes.
"No. I will choose to whom she is to belong."
"She is a free creature. Let her choose herself," Ramon argued.
The man held up a knife and stood up. He put his face close to Ramon's.
"Leave," he snarled.
Ramon gave him a dirty look, but left. The young girl concealed herself behind the tent flap once more. Tears sliding down her face. Her hopes for a better life vanished. She sat down on the threadbare rug and thought. She would go after Ramon. Hurriedly, she escaped out the back and lightly ran through the woods. She found Ramon sitting by the river, throwing rocks in.
"Ramon," she called in a whisper.
Ramon looked up and saw her. He quickly stood up and wrapped his arms around her.
"Elizabeth. You shouldn't have followed me," he said.
"I had to," she replied.
She rested her head on his chest and they stood there for a moment.
"We should just run away," she said, breaking the silence.
"Is that what you really want?" he asked.
Elizabeth didn't answer.
Ramon ran his fingers through her dirty golden locks. She had a new bruise on her cheek and a cut on her arm. He gently ran his fingers over the bruise.
"Maybe it's for the best," he muttered.
He kissed Elizabeth gently and pulled her closer. A dagger flew by their heads and stuck in a tree. Ramon pushed her to the ground and drew his sword. Elizabeth pulled the long dagger out of the tree and stood next to him, ready to fight. Her father came forward, a crazy glint in his eyes. He rushed forward and Ramon dodged his blade. The old man grabbed Elizabeth's arm and whisked her away. Ramon started to run after, but a friend of Elizabeth's father held an arrow at his chest. He heard Elizabeth's sobs as her father dragged her away. That was the last time they saw each other.
"Miss, please don't squeeze his hand so hard," the healer said.
Elizabeth shook her head.
Her and Ramon had been so close. Now, she felt terrible. She was in love with a knight. Ramon was in love with the village...well...a woman with a not so great reputation. It had once been her dream to marry him. He had been all she had of hope. Now, she had an exciting new life and it seemed her and Ramon, what they had once been, was non existent. The truth hurts sometimes, but you have to face it. She didn't love him anymore.
"All done. He'll be alright. Just no fighting for maybe a month," the healer said.
Elizabeth nodded.
Ramon opened his eyes.
"Elizabeth?"
Elizabeth nodded and gave him a smile.
"What happened?" she asked.
"Ambush. Rebels," he said hoarsely.
"Get some rest. The knights will help you back to the camp later so you can show your woman your new battle scars," she teased.
He smiled and Elizabeth left.
Lancelot had been waiting outside for her.
"How long have you been standing out here?"
"Only a few moments. I left and helped move the horse," he said.
Elizabeth didn't say anything about it.
They walked outside and the sun was fully out. The sky had thick dark clouds here and there. Tomorrow wasn't going to be so nice.
"Feel like testing you arm?" Lancelot asked, a charming smile on his face.
"Of course."
They made their way over to the archery court and Elizabeth picked up a bow and bent it. She put a string on it and picked up some arrows. The targets were a good distance away. Elizabeth drew the string back and released the arrow. It flew true and hit the center of the target. She reloaded and aimed again. After almost an hour, she had a good amount of arrows clustered in the center of the target. Lancelot walked over and gave it an appraising look.
"I didn't think you would have a problem," he said, trying to sound serious.
Elizabeth just grinned. Her Woad training certainly paid off.
She walked over to the target Lancelot had been practicing on. It looked very similar to hers. She tried to pull an arrow from it, but to no avail. Lancelot wore a proud smile on his face.
"Woads aren't the only people who can shoot," he teased.
Elizabeth stuck her tongue out at him.
"Why not settle our dispute over swords?" he asked.
"Very well."
They drew their swords. Elizabeth checked hers, making sure it was somewhat clean and there was no wet blood on it. She whipped the blade around a few times before holding it out. Lancelot ran one of his two swords along it before striking her sword. They went back and forth. One striking the other. Blocking and dancing away. Elizabeth did a somersault, escaping Lancelot's blade. She ended up behind him and went to put her sword at his neck, but he was too quick. He dodged and turned around. They began striking again and Lancelot pushed hard against Elizabeth's sword. She stumbled backwards and moved just in time. The blades met and Elizabeth spun away and tried to move her blade towards Lancelot, but he blocked it and they held the swords there. They were both sweating and the sun was beating down a little harder than before.
"Truce?"
Lancelot held out his hand and Elizabeth shook it. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her. Elizabeth smiled and kissed him back. They really didn't seem to care about the sun anymore.
"Honestly, I thought you of all people would have more propriety," a voice said behind them.
Elizabeth and Lancelot disentangled themselves from each other and turned around. Gawain was standing there, a cocky grin on his face.
"And you Gawain? Have you been doing something so dishonorable as spying on us?" Elizabeth quipped.
"Aye. That I have," he said, still smiling.
He walked over to them and picked up a bow. He put an arrow to it and shot. It hit the target. Bull's-eye. Just like Lancelot's.
"That must have been a big part of your training," Elizabeth said.
"It was one of the easier parts for some of us," Lancelot said.
"Like me. Your areas of expertise were the village women and the twin swords," Gawain said, a mischievous twinkle in his eyes.
Lancelot punched him in the shoulder.
"I think I'll let you men fight this one out-"
"Why not join us?" Gawain asked.
Lancelot hit him again.
Gawain turned around and yelled at him, trying not to laugh.
"What?!?! Scared she's gonna beat us?"
"Aye! Well, not me, but I'm scared for you," Lancelot said.
Elizabeth rolled her eyes.
"Like I was saying-"
"You were saying?" Gawain asked.
Elizabeth threw her hands up and gave an exasperated sigh. Gawain imitated her and Elizabeth punched him. He rubbed his shoulder and gave her an angry look.
"What was that for?" he whined.
Elizabeth just grinned before walking away.
She could hear the men's laughter as she walked down the stone steps into Hope Garden. She looked out over the grassy hills. A bird flew through the sky and into the forest. The trees swayed and it seemed as if the forest ate the bird. The shadows consuming its graceful form. She heard footsteps behind her and turned around. Lancelot walked over, a laughing smile still on his face.
"What happened to Gawain?" she asked suspiciously.
"He thought of something else he had to do," Lancelot answered.
"Ah."
They sat on the low wall in silence. That silence was broken by a yell and the sound of crashing pots and pans. Elizabeth got up and ran down the stair passage to the kitchens. Sure enough, Maria was standing in the doorway, yelling at a beggar. Her expression brightened a touch when she saw Elizabeth.
"Hello dear, just a moment," she said.
She continued yelling at the poor man until he had cleared out. Maria looked at Elizabeth's puzzled face and quickly explained as she walked back into the kitchen.
"Found him digging through the barrels. He had snuck in. Gave me a fright. I would have given him something if he had asked. I just despise thieves."
Elizabeth gave a small laugh and shook her head. Lancelot stood in the doorway, he had seen the whole thing.
"Now Maria, is that how you show hospitality to the citizens of this village?" he teased.
Maria held the meat cleaver in the air and gave him a menacing look. Lancelot just laughed before taking a piece of bread from the counter. Elizabeth raised her eyebrows, waiting to see if he would get away with it. He didn't. Maria ran at him, cleaver raised. Lancelot laughed and ran out of the kitchen, grabbing Elizabeth's hand as he went.
"Bye Maria, my dear!" he called.
Maria shook her head as they ran off, laughing at the display.
Elizabeth and Lancelot made it back up the garden before they stopped. Elizabeth was a little out of breath and she was still laughing.
"Do you enjoy making her mad?" she asked.
"Actually yes. It's entertaining," he answered, taking a bite out of the piece of bread.
Elizabeth rolled her eyes and sat back down on the low wall.
"I think I'm going to go visit the Woads when I take Ramon back," she said.
"Really? I'll come as well," he said.
Elizabeth gave him an annoyed look.
"Must you always come?" she asked.
"Yes."
Elizabeth threw her hands up above her head and went back to watching the forest. Everything was silent until Lancelot sat next to her and started talking.
"Are you watching for something?" he asked.
"No. Just observing," she said.
Lancelot just nodded and didn't say anything.
After a while, Elizabeth stood up and put a hand on Lancelot's shoulder.
"I'm going to get Ramon. You really don't have to come. I can take care of myself," she said softly.
"Alright, but if anything-"
Elizabeth put a finger to his lips.
"Stop worrying. I'll meet you back here in a little while. Go help with the afternoon training or go for a ride," she said.
Before Lancelot could answer, she had left the garden. Elizabeth broke into a run, wanting to hurry up and get Ramon back so she could speak with her old people. Ramon's room was unlocked and she saw him standing at the window, looking out.
"Feeling better?" she asked.
"Not much. I just wanted to see something other than the walls of this room," he answered with false cheerfulness.
"I've come to help you back down to camp. There a healer of our own people can help you," she said.
Ramon nodded, a weird expression on his face.
"What is the matter?" she asked.
"My horse is dead. I had raised him since he had been young. Now he is gone," Ramon said sadly.
Elizabeth wrapped an arm around his shoulders.
"Ramon, I saw him when he died. He staggered into the barn and fell to the floor. His head was in my hands when he died. He had gotten you to safety and that was all he cared about," Elizabeth said soothingly.
Ramon continued looking out the window, his face set determinedly.
Elizabeth had a sudden idea. Illusion.
"Actually Ramon, I have a horse that needs a rider. He's been abused, but he's still young. Would you like to try him?" she asked.
Ramon lifted his head.
"I cannot find a replacement for my old horse," he replied.
"Illusion wouldn't be a replacement. He needs a good home and I can't take care of him. I have Darkness," she said.
Ramon thought for a moment before replying. He had a wry grin on his face.
"Alright, but only because it was you who asked me," he said.
Elizabeth gave him a gentle hug, as to not aggravate his wounds.
"I"ll bring you home on him. Come," she said.
They left the room and made their way down to the stables. Illusion was there, eating what was left of his hay. His ears perked up at the sound of Elizabeth. He was much friendlier now. Elizabeth had Ramon approach him first. Illusion laid his ears back and barred his teeth.
"Ramon, wait!"
He turned around and Illusion turned his attention on Elizabeth as well.
"Here, ride behind me. I think he' still afraid of men," she explained.
Ramon just shrugged and watched as Elizabeth readied the big horse. He stamped his hooves impatiently and when he was ready, he surged out the door, dragging Elizabeth along. She just laughed and once they were outside, she pulled herself into the saddle. She helped Ramon up behind her. Illusion danced around a bit, his ears back as he accepted Ramon's weight. Elizabeth kicked him into a canter and they flew out of the stable yard. The skimmed over the grass and in no time they were at the camp. She helped Ramon off and handed him Illusion's reins. The horse eyed him warily, but allowed him to rub his face.
"You were right. He is going to be a project," he said.
Elizabeth just smiled.
"Thanks for taking him."
Ramon nodded and mounted again. He rode Illusion into the camp and Elizabeth headed back up the hill. She decided she didn't want to stick around to see certain people. She stopped at the training and watched the young boys. They were much improved. Lancelot had come down and was working with Gawain and a group of boys. Galahad was coming down the hill and when he saw her, he ran over.
"My lady," he said, kissing her fingers.
Elizabeth gave a deep curtsy and when she was standing up again they both started laughing.
"Come to watch the training?" she asked him.
"No. I came to help," he replied.
They walked over to the group and Galahad joined Gawain and Lancelot. The knights told somewhat inappropriate jokes and some of the boys listened intently.
Great thing for them to be listening to, Elizabeth thought to herself.
Bors being somewhat serious said it was time for practice to end, but then ruined it by adding a rude comment after it. Of course the knights all laughed. Elizabeth folded her arms across her chest and walked over. Bors put an arm around her shoulder.
"Come join in!" he roared.
"You know of course those boys are going to go home and say some of the things you were talking about-"
"Of course!" Gawain cut her off.
"Men," Elizabeth muttered.
The men walked back over to the castle. It was late in the afternoon now, almost nightfall. Elizabeth remembered she wanted to light some candles in her room so she wasn't coming back to just the fire. She ran up the stairs and opened the door to her room. She quickly lit more candles and quickly looked in the mirror. She gasped. Her dress was a mess and her hair was blown around from the breeze. She quickly brushed it and changed into a new dress. She strapped a pair of knives to her legs and concealed them with the bottom of her dress. With one last check in the mirror, she headed back down the cold passageway and took the steps two at a time. The sky was even darker than before and the air had cooled down. She saw some torches lit along the walk and fog was rolling along the grassy hill. She ran into the pub and saw the knights at a table, several people were around them. She walked over and pulled up a chair. She got a few glances, but otherwise, no one noticed her.
"We'll run over the Rebels as if they were nothing," Gawain said.
"And the boys' training?" asked a villager.
"Has been going great. We'll have a strong army with the Woads," Galahad replied.
The villagers began talking among themselves and some walked away, deep in conversation.
"The training has been going good, but are the boys ready for an actual battle where they'll win?" Elizabeth asked.
"Of course!" Bors said proudly.
Elizabeth raised an eyebrow and took a sip of the ale that a maid had set in front of her. Once again, women huddled around the knights. They flipped their hair around and straightened their dresses. They also caught angry glares from Vanora and Elizabeth had a disgusted look on her face. Lancelot saw her expression and just smiled. A woman next to him whipped a short kitchen knife out and held it at Elizabeth's throat.
"Thought you were funny?" she asked him.
Lancelot jumped to his feet and drew his swords.
"I get to the room and who comes in? A stupid, fat commoner!"
Elizabeth dared not move. The woman had the short knife extremely close to her neck.
"I'll make it up to you," he said.
"No, I'll return your favor. A restless night with a person other than the one you thought you adored," she said with a crazy smile.
The woman moved the blade closer and Elizabeth could feel the cold steel on her neck. Suddenly, the blade fell and the woman crashed to the ground. Vanora stood behind Elizabeth, a large tray in her hand. Elizabeth rubbed her neck and when she pulled her hand away there was a spot of blood on it.
"Damn," she said.
Lancelot walked over after replacing her swords.
"Elizabeth, are you alright?" he asked worriedly.
"Yes, I'm fine now. However, I knew this was going to come back," she said with a glance down at the woman on the floor.
Lancelot grinned.
Slowly, everyone began talking again and paying less attention. Lancelot looked at her throat. It was only a thin line. Nothing serious. Several maids had returned and they carried the woman out. Elizabeth's eyes were starting to droop. She didn't realize how tired she was. She had been up early and it was getting late. Lancelot, who was sitting next to her, saw her push her chair back. He took her hand and looked up at her as she stood.
"Tired?" he asked.
"Aye. I'll see you tomorrow," she said.
"Tomorrow may be a big day," Lancelot said, worry flashing across his face.
"You think the battle will begin?"
"I'm thinking it may," he said.
Elizabeth looked at him and was quiet.
"Lancelot, will you come with me for a moment please?" she asked.
Lancelot got up and followed her out of the pub. They were on the path and out of sight of other people.
"Lancelot, if I die in this battle, please bury me here, my one true home," she whispered.
Lancelot grasped her hands.
"You won't die. If you do then I will follow you," he said, his voice tight.
He kissed her passionately and Elizabeth returned it. She wrapped her arms around his neck and they stood there, the moonlight shining down on them. The noise from the pub caused them to break apart. Lancelot took her hand and led her up the stairs. Elizabeth went into her room and changed. She brushed her hair out once more and braided it. Lancelot knocked on the door. She followed him back to his room and they locked the door behind them. Lancelot pulled her into another kiss and he pulled at the ties at the back of her dress. It slipped down and his shirt was soon off. They toppled onto the bed and became tangled in the sheets, just as the moon became tangled in the clouds. And the illusion the shadows caused, making the trees seem as if they were in motion. Elizabeth ran her hand over an old scar and a sudden sadness filled her. It was the same scar from the Saxon battle. Lancelot noticed the small tear that ran down her cheek and he gently wiped it away. They sat up and he took her into his arms.
"Elizabeth, I'll make sure this isn't the end," he promised.
"I know it's not. We still have the battle tomorrow," she said with a small smile.
Lancelot kissed her once more and they both passionately wished for time to stop. But what is time other than an illusion of the mind?
